HMD Positioning via Eye Tracking Distance Calculation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional head-mounted devices (HMDs) require manual, subjective adjustments for optimal positioning, leading to inefficiencies in achieving a clear and immersive virtual or augmented reality experience due to variations in user anatomy.

Innovation Solution

An HMD system that uses eye tracking data to calculate the distance between the virtual image plane and the user's pupil plane, adjusting its position to align the eye box center plane with the pupil plane, thereby improving image alignment and quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual adjustment is used to position the HMD, then the user can adjust the position, but the process is time-consuming and subjective

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of HMD positioningVSAvoidtime for positioning adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically positions the HMD by calculating the distance between the virtual image plane and the user's pupil plane using eye tracking data, eliminating the need for manual adjustment while maintaining precise positioning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The eye tracking system provides continuous feedback on the user's eye position and gaze direction, enabling the system to calculate the required adjustment distance and automatically position the HMD accordingly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Manufacturing precision

If manual adjustment is used to position the HMD, then the user can achieve alignment, but the process requires repeated trial-and-error

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision of HMD alignmentVSAvoidcomplexity of adjustment process

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical trial-and-error adjustment process with an optical measurement system that uses eye tracking data to calculate the precise distance and determine the optimal HMD position automatically

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The eye tracking system acts as an intermediary between the HMD and the user's anatomy, providing objective measurements that enable precise calculation of the required positioning adjustment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10459237B2System, head mounted device (HMD) and method for adjusting a position of an HMD worn by a user

Publication Date: 2019.10.29 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

The present disclosure provides embodiments of improved systems, head mounted devices (HMDs) and methods for adjusting a position of an HMD with respect to a user based on one or more measurements, which are specific to the user. One embodiment of the improved method includes receiving data from an eye tracking system of an HMD worn by a user, where the data is generated by the eye tracking system in response to the user gazing upon a virtual image plane of the HMD; using the received data to calculate a distance between the virtual image plane of the HMD and a pupil plane of the user; and adjusting a position of the HMD with respect to the user based on the calculated distance.